Spanish Wines ... The unsung heroes!!

Hello fellow wine lovers,

Brenda Szgatti here with another edition of From The Grapevine ... simplifying the wineworld for the everyday wine drinker :-)

So, had any good vino lately? I hope so! If so, let us know what it was! I know our readers would love some of your suggestions, or to know your favorites! And I will do my best to get my favorites out there... Also, make sure to sign up for THE VINE ... which will keep you posted on new articles and fun stuff on my blog!

Let's talk about Spanish wines.

Spanish wines, you ask ... are they any good?

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!

And they are INCREDIBLE value too!

In my time working as a wine agent, I was very fortunate to be exposed to some of the best Spanish wines produced. And the best part, you can get some extremely delicious wine for a great price!

As Spain has the most vineyards planted of any country in the world, so you would think their wines would be extremely popular everywhere. Right now, however, Spanish wines are not as popular in North America as, say, Australian or Chilean wines, so you won't find the same selection. The main reason is that for years, Spain only exported the cheap, lower-quality wines in large volume, so Castillo d'Almansa is all people know! However, as people are realizing the value that is available, agencies are beginning to bring in a better selection, and you will begin to see more and more of this delicious gloriousness in your local liquor store (and at some of the most reasonable prices out there!).

Most fine-wine stores will have a great selection of Spanish wines (they have been in on the secret for a long time!), so make sure you ask the salesperson where their Spanish section is, or if they can recommend a great Spanish wine (and don't be afraid to specify your desired price-point ... it is their job to help you find what you are looking for!!).

Known mostly for their reds, Spanish wines are typically comprised of the most widely-planted Spanish grape, Tempranillo (Tem-pra-nee-oh) or Grenache (gra-nash), (although other varietals are quite common, but usually in blends). They also make some delicious whites from indigenous varietals such as viura and malvasia, but are less common. If you happen across one, try it out! One of my favorites is the MUGA White ... Muga is a legendary Spanish estate, and not something to be missed :-)

Stylistically, the wines tend to spend at least some time in oak, exhibit old-world earthy characteristics, and have excellent structure.

As with Italian wines, Spanish wines were originally made to pair with Spanish food. Now, while you may not eat Tapas on a regular basis at home, you can rest assured that these wines are meant to pair with food, and almost any kind! Whether you are having pizza, pasta, or hamburgers, there is a good chance that the bottle of Crianza you picked up for dinner will be delicious!

Like other old-world countries (France, Italy, Portugal), they have a classification system to denote the age of the wine. Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva are the different classifications, and get progressively older (and therefore more expensive) as you go.

So, what should you look for when shopping for the perfect Spanish wine?

Vintage - anything from 2004 is highly recommended ... it was an outstanding vintage. Although because of how Spain is situated geographically, they are fortunate to have very consistent production year after year, so there is really no bad vintage. In the lower price points, the wine may not have a vintage, which means it is a blend of vintages. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and can present great value.

Price point - This depends on your budget ... you can find a lot of great values in Spain for $15-$20. If you want to go higher, ask your salesperson what they recommend ...

Varietal - Many Spanish wines are being "north-americanized", meaning that they are labeling the bottles with what varietal(s) the wine is made with. You typically can't go wrong with Tempranillo, and if you can find a Rioja (most famous wine-producing region in Spain) for $15-$20 I would try it (Try Montebuena ... widely available). Also, if you find a Crianza under $25 I would give it a try (LAN is a great Spanish estate ... anything from them is fabulous!). Tempranillo is approachable and generally easy to drink, while offering great flavor and value for the money.

Labeling - Many Spanish wines that are newer to the market are coming out with crazy eye-catching packaging. To be honest, I have bought wine based on the labe before ... I think everyone has. It's not a bad way to go ... but I would ask the opinion of the person working at the store if they have tried or heard anything about the wine just to be sure.

Now please keep in mind that the selection will vary from store to store, so for the best chance to find any of the wines discussed here, I suggest you try your local specialty wine store. If you are lucky, your local liquor store will have a good selection. They may also be able to bring a wine in for you, but they won't know if you don't ask!

I would like to finish off with a few of my absolute favorites, some of which are widely available, and some of which are not. You can always go into your local wine or liquor store and ask if they have them, or if they are able to bring them in for you. Most are under $20 (Canadian ... those of you in the U.S. will find your prices to be waaay lower!).

• Montebuena - this is a blended red from the Rioja region of Spain. Fairly light in style, it drinks very well on its own or paired with your favorite pizza/pasta/or grilled meats. Phenomenal value for the price!
• Garnacha de Fuego - 100% old-vine Grenache. You can't miss the bottle, as it has flames all over it. Lots of rich dark fruit flavors with a nice black-pepper spice. Delicious!!
• CODICE - this wine is made by a winemaker by the name of Marcos Eguren, who is one of the top 3 winemakers in all of Spain. 100% tempranillo, spends 6 months in oak, and comes in around $11-$14. BARGAIN VALUE!! (Also check out Protocolo by the same winemaker ... under $10!!).
• Juan Gil Silver Label Monastrell - This is probably my favorite wine ... value for your dollar I find it absolutely delectable. Around $25 per bottle, this wine spends 12 months in new frenck oak barrels and is made with 100% old vine Monastrell (this is the type of grape, grown mostly in the South-eastern region of Jumilla in Spain). With rich dark fruit characteristics, a nice level of black-pepper spice, and a medium to full-bodied weight, this wine is perfect for anyone who loves the flavor of Australian Shiraz but with an old-world kick!! Look at your local specialty wine store for this gem!

Well, that's it for now. Don't forget to subscribe to THE VINE to stay up to date on the latest happenings here at From The Grapevine! And remember, if you have any questions, just post a comment and I will do my best to get you the answer!

Cheers!

Brenda Szgatti